Titanic

What is CST?

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. It was pioneered and developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as professor of biomechanics.

Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel – practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it's effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

How does CranioSacral Therapy Work?

Few structures have as much influence over the body’s ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And, the central nervous system is heavily influenced by the craniosacral system – the membranes and fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

Every day your body endures stresses and strains that it must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.

Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. With a light touch, the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft-touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the craniosacral system.

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment.

What conditions does CranioSacral Therapy address?
Migraines and Headaches
Chronic Neck and Back Pain
Autism
Stress and Tension-Related Disorders
Motor-Coordination Impairments
Infant and Childhood Disorders
Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
TMJ Syndrome
Scoliosis
Central Nervous System Disorders
Learning Disabilities
ADD/ADHD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Orthopedic Problems
And Many Other Conditions

Can I take CST courses if I'm not a licensed massage therapist or a healthcare professional?

Yes, CST courses can be highly beneficial for the layperson who is interested in gaining a higher understanding of CST techniques and benefits for personal use. However, many states require a license to touch in order to practice the therapy. Check with your state to determine what laws apply.

Is there any condition for which CST shouldn't be used?

There are certain situations where application of CST would not be recommended. These include conditions where a variation and/or slight increase in intracranial pressure would cause instability. Acute aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage or other preexisting severe bleeding disorders are examples of conditions that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes.

LifeRecovery

Just getting back on and I love all the input. When I get a chance I will post a little bit more about my Hakomi experience (personally).

I am loving Tension Releasing Exercises.

Also if anyone is an NPR fan they had a great show on a program called Bioneers last week about a man who runs the mind/body medicine program and what he is bringing to the world to help with PTSD stuff. Again I will post the link when I get a chance tomorrow.

seek

I want to try TRE. Where did you learn the exercises?

SoaringSpirits

Titanic, I enjoyed reading that info on CST. My friend is the practitioner who worked on my son, and I have to admit I sort of poo-pooed CST at first. While he was going to her, I had been having terrible headaches and mentioned this to her one day. She asked me if I'd injured my tailbone recently! Huh? In fact I'd badly injured my tailbone area about 6 months prior when sledding on an inner tube with a child in my lap (hit a bump and hit my tailbone so hard I thought I had broken it). The CST practitioner instructed me to feel the position of my tailbone (which was jammed underneath me, I found) and ease it back into the correct position (sorry if that's TMI, LOL). I did, and my headaches ceased that very day, never to return. I found the whole concept so interesting, and it made sense. Your spine and brain are connected by this closed system of cerebro-spinal fluid that circulates up and down and imbalances anywhere along this route can have a profound effect. That's why women who get an epidural during childbirth often have lingering headaches after.

Titanic

Thiought I should share this one from Earthworm's "obsessing" thread here too! Thanks SS.

fluffyflea

What is EFT?

seek

Emotional Freedom Technique. Tapping on energy meridians. Check out EFT and Brad Yates on YouTube.

Titanic

Earthworm, see post #37 above.